64 Endangered Birds - Species and Photos

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It is estimated that there are between 50,000 million and more than 430,000 million birds on planet Earth. They are distributed in more than 10,400 identified species and it is believed that there could be 8,000 more species still unidentified. Approximately 13% of all bird species are in a state of vulnerability or in danger of extinction. Scientists warn that we may be facing a mass extinction and that if we do not work to reduce our environmental impact and climate change, many of the species we know today will cease to exist in the not too distant future.

In this Green Ecologist article we bring you a list with 64 endangered birds. Discover which are the birds and aerial animals in danger of extinction and what are the reasons that have led them there.

California condor (Gymnogyps californianus)

The California Condor or California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus) is a diurnal bird of prey in critical danger of extinction that lives in the states of Arizona, Utah, California and Baja California in the United States. It is a monogamous and scavenger bird, which can live up to 60 years in the wild. It holds the title of largest flying bird in North America, since it has a wingspan of up to 3 meters and weighs between 9 and 10 kilos. Despite all the efforts to recover this species, its population is barely between 400 and 500 specimens.

If you want to know more details about what are scavengers, like this condor, do not hesitate to take a look at this article that we recommend.

Kakapo (Strigops habroptilus)

The kakapo or kákapu is an endemic bird to New Zealand in critical danger of extinction. It is a nocturnal, herbivorous and flightless parrot. About a century ago, it was a large species, but today its population does not exceed 147 specimens. These surviving specimens are protected on the islands of Chalky and Codfish, in New Zealand, under the Kakapo Recovery Plan, implemented in 1980. A curiosity about this bird is that it is the only parrot in the world that does not fly, in addition to being recognized as the fattest parrot globally as well.

Although the kakapo is the only flightless parrot, there are other birds that do not fly either. Discover 10 birds that do not fly in this other Green Ecologist article.

Monera Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi)

The Monera eagle or Philippine eagle is a diurnal bird of prey and endemic to the jungles of the Philippines. It is the national bird of the country and is found in critical danger of extinction. Currently, the silver eagle population does not exceed 500 individuals. At first it was believed that it fed only on monkeys, hence its name, but years later it was discovered that it also fed on other species such as the Philippine colugo, snakes or monitor lizards, for example.

Regarding the characteristics, female eagles measure up to 1 meter, since they are between a 10 and 20% larger than males. In addition, its size can reach up to 2 meters. They usually live between 30 and 60 years, but those who are free can live much longer.

There are more birds of prey such as the Monera eagle. Discover 112 birds of prey or raptors in this article.

Helm hornbill (Rhinoplax vigil)

The helmeted hornbill is a tropical bird endemic to the Malaysian peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo. In addition, it is the official bird of West Borneo, one of the provinces of the Republic of Indonesia. It is another example of bird in critical danger of extinction since it is hunted and hunted for its beak made of "hornbill ivory", a very valuable and resistant material. You can read this article on How to avoid poaching animals to understand more about the subject.

Most of the fur on its body is black, except for the legs, belly and tail, which are white. Your skull can be 10% of your total body weight and measures between 1 and 1.2 meters long (not counting tail feathers) and weighs between 2.7 and 3.1 kilograms. It should be added that he is believed to be the guardian of the river between life and death in the Punan Bah population of Malaysia.

Tobiano Maca (Podiceps gallardoi)

The macá, zampullín or tobiano sapling is a water bird endemic to Argentine and Chilean Patagonia. It was discovered for the first time in 1974, in southern Argentine Patagonia, and is currently in critical danger of extinction, since its population does not exceed 1,000 individuals.

It is small in size, since only measures 28 centimeters and its body is quite compact. It is completely white, except for its head surrounded by black and the forehead of reddish-yellow tones. Its beak is gray. They are solitary birds and, at most, they are seen in groups of 4 or 5 members. In addition, as a curiosity, it does not usually fly during the day and rarely leaves the water.

If you are interested in waterfowl, do not hesitate to read this Green Ecologist article on Waterfowl: characteristics, types and names.

Giant Ibis (Thaumatibis gigantea)

The giant ibis is a pelecaniform bird that lives in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. In general, they usually measure between 1 meter high, 1 meter long and weigh 4 kilograms. It feeds on invertebrates and small fish, amphibians and reptiles that it captures with its long beak. Is found in critical danger of extinction. Currently, there are less than 200 specimens of giant ibis in the world.

Image: Pinterest

Frigatebird of Christmas (Fregata andrewsi)

The Christmas frigatebird is an endemic bird on Christmas Island. It is between 0.9 and 1 meter tall and feeds on fish, mollusks and crustaceans. Its population is estimated between 2,400 and 4,800 specimens, so it is in critical danger of extinction. Its main threats are the destruction of its habitat, mining exploitation, the pollution of the oceans and climate change.

We leave you these other articles on How to avoid pollution of the seas and oceans and Effects of climate change so you can learn more about the topics.

Arica Hummingbird (Eulidia yarrellii)

With scarcely 8 centimeters long and 3 grams of weight, the hummingbird or hummingbird of Arica is the smallest bird in all of Chile. This bird is in critical danger of extinction and it is estimated that at present there are less than 250 specimens in the Chilean scrub, forests and gardens.

You can also take a look at this article on Animals in danger of extinction in Chile.

Image: Foundation for Progress

Akohekohe (Palmeria dolei)

The akohekohe is a passerine bird endemic to Hawaii. It feeds mainly on nectar and supplements its diet with fruits, insects, and certain types of plants. Its population hardly reaches 4000 specimens, so it is considered another bird in critical danger of extinction.

Other endangered birds

Here is a list of the most endangered and critically endangered bird species in the world.

• Miahuatleco hummingbird (Eupherusa cyanophrys).
• Earwig hummingbirdHylonympha macrocerca).
• Kagú (Rhynochetos jubatus).
• Mountain sparrow (Xenospiza baileyi).
• Gran Canaria blue finch (Fringilla polatzeki).
• Tricolor Thrush (Agelaius tricolor).
• Ashen cloth (Oceanodroma homochroa).
• Guadalupe murrelet (Synthliboramphus hypoleucus).
• Chingolo de Worthen (Spizella wortheni).
• Peninsular mask (Geothlypis beldingi).
• Cardinal of Venezuela (Carduelis cucullata).
• Kiritimati Warbler (Acrocephalus aequinoctialis).
• Dwarf tinamouTaoniscus nanus).
• Vináceo parrot (Amazona vinacea).
• African gray parrot (Psittacus erithacus).
• Lilac-crowned parrotAmazona finschi).
• Sun parrot (Aratinga solstitialis).
• Short-billed Funeral Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus latirostris).
• Long-billed Funeral Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus baudinii).
• Pava yacutinga (Pipile jacutinga).
• Horned curassowOreophasis derbianus).
• Curassow stone crest (Pauxi pauxi).
• Swamp cockroach (Cistothorus apolinari).
• Cockroach of Antioquia (Thryophilus sernai).
• Gray crowned craneBalearica regulorum).
• Whooping Crane (Grus americana).
• Abbott's Alcatraz (Papasula abbotti).
• Blewitti's owl (Athene blewitti).
• Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus).
• Galapagos Penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus).
• White-headed Malvasia (Oxyura leucocephala).
• South Island takahe swamphen (Porphyrio hochstetteri).
• Black-eared honeycreeper (Manorina melanotis).
• Regent Honeyman (Anthochaera phrygia).
• Monarch of Tahiti (Pomarea nigra).
• Bouncer babblerLiocichla bugunorum).
• Alcyon of the Marquesas (Todiramphus godeffroyi).
• Amazon parrot of red lords (Lilac Amazonian).
• I stopped with a red foreheadAra rubrogenys).
• Calao de la Sumba (Rhyticeros everetti).
• Sulu hornbill (Anthracoceros Montani).
• Sumatran ground cuckoo (Carpococcyx viridis).
• Guadalupe Petrel (Oceanodroma macrodactyla).
• Galapagos Petrel (Pterodroma phaeopygia).
• Cantabrian grouse (Tetraus urogallus cantabricus).
• Tuamotu Partridge Pigeon (Pampusana erythroptera).
• Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps).
• Egotelo of New Caledonia (Aegotheles savesi).
• Bengali Little Bustard (Houbaropsis bengalensis).
• Relief Mockingbird (Mimodes graysoni).
• Balearic Shearwater (Puffinus mauretanicus).
• Townsend's Shearwater (Puffinus auricularis).
• Colombian Curassow (Crax alberti).
• Tanalo Malay (Mycteria cinerea).
• Boreal Curlew (Numenius borealis).

Why are there birds in danger of extinction?

The greatest threat to all birds is humans. Human activity interferes with the development of populations of many bird species, sometimes leading to extinction. Some of the factors that most put vulnerable and endangered bird populations at risk are:

• Poaching and illegal trade: are some of the main reasons why today there are so many species of birds in danger of extinction, since it is a damage that humans do to species. Here you can read more about How to avoid illegal animal trafficking.
• Predation by wild and domestic animals (especially cats).
• Destruction of natural habitat: that increases the competition between species and the scarcity of food and places to nest.
• Climate change: that generates an increase in temperature and floods.
• Pollution: There are different types of pollution that harm birds. Among them, we highlight noise or acoustic pollution and light pollution, which interfere with the sleep cycle and feeding of birds. We can also talk about air pollution and pollution of bodies of water.
• Poisoning and suffocation by consuming solid urban waste.
• Soil infertility (which generates a shortage of places to nest and food).
• Collisions with windows, windshields, utility poles, windmills, walls, aircraft and boats.

Feel free to take a look at this other Green Ecologist article on Bird Classification for more information.

If you want to read more articles similar to Endangered birdsWe recommend that you enter our category of Endangered Animals.

Bibliography

• Writing aViblog. (2022). Birds endangered: what are they. aViblog. Available at: https://www.sexadodeaves.com/vlog/es/aves-en-peligro-de-extincion/
• BirdLife International. (2022). The Bird Life International. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22697636/181151405
• James, C. (2022). The image wants to draw attention to the more than 2 billion birds and other animals that domestic cats kill each year in the United States.. National Geographic. Available at: https://www.nationalgeographic.es/animales/2020/09/gatos-domesticos-matados-a-232-animales-de-esta-foto
• The Red List of Threatened Species. (2022). IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Amazona%20finschi&searchType=species
• National Geographic staff. (2022). Californian condor. National Geographic. Available at: https://www.nationalgeographic.es/animales/condor-californiano
• Vives, J. (2022). If you leave your cat roaming the street it may end up killing all these animals. The vanguard. Available at: https://www.lavanguardia.com/natural/fauna-flora/20200925/483650274744/dejas-gato-vagando-calle-acabe-matando-animales.html